A TWO-FOLD INHERITANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11872, 25 January 1902, Page 3 (Supplement)

A TWO-FOLD INHERITANCE.

' .BY GUY boothby, 'Author of "The Beautiful "White Devil," ."Doctor Nikola," etc., etc.

SYNOPSIS.

CHAPTER I.The reader is introduced ' o a beautiful scene on the River Thames, where there is a house-boat, known as ' Love in Idleness."' It belonged to Mr. Dartrell at one time, and was a great resort for a certain class. After Mr. Dartrell's death, the boat- ■ house was still as popular as eve* under the care of his beautiful and tactful widow. Mrs. Dartrell had a nice cottage in May fair, and sometimes her friends were entertained in the boathouse and sometims in the cottage. Curious characters meet at these ' places, and one Colonel Devereux is noted for • card-playing. Reginald Fitzwilliam Sandridge is also a frequenter, and is generally known amongst his companions as Peggie. It was evident that the fascinating widow had a charm for him, and lie and others took much interest in the card-playing that took place in the boathouse and cottage. In •the disputes that occurred over the cardtable. Peggie felt inclined to take the widow's ' part,'and the friendship gradually increased, until one night he seems to have been led to make advances which had important consequences. St CHAPTER ll.—ln which Peggie Sandridgo ;#iss seen driving into the Waterloo Railway Station in great style. He entered the ticket office to obtain excursion tickets for himself and two friend?, and on emerging ran across his cousin, Richard, when a mutual exchange of compliments took place. Reggio espied his two friends, bade good-bye to his cousin, and entering the train was soon at his destination—the village of Charleston!. ' Here he met a well-known horse-trainer—bate-son—who gave him full information about the racehorse in which he was interested, and both gentlemen felt confident the said horse -would be the winner at the Epsom races, ana further heavy bets were laid. CHAPTER 111.

I can* well remember the first time I ever set eyes on Weldersham Castle. I was on a bicycle tour, and it was in tlio height ol summer ... and towards eight o'clock on a very still evening. The country roads were inches deep in dust, the harvest was being gathered, and more than once I was compelled, to seek the safety of the ditch in j order to avoid the enormous wains that were ) slowly wending their way towards the home / farm.' When, however, I reached the south lodge and entered the home park everything was changed. In the course of my life I have had the good fortune to inspect a very fair portion of the stately homes of England, but I do not think I can recall one that r for picturesque beauty can in any ■way compare with the scene that was now V. presented to my gaze. It was beautiful beyond compare. Having passed through a : small plantation of young larches, in which the tender green harmonised delightfully i with the luscious grass, I found myself I standing on an old stone bridge, .spanning h a respectable stream, with one of the fairest scenes in all England spread out before me. To my left was a noble expanse of park, on the* extreme of which the woodlands rose towards the,evening star. To my right a hundred yards or so distant arid flanked by the river," was the castle, a magnificent pile, a building, in fact, that once seen, as 1 saw it then, would remain in the memory for ' ever. With the warm glow of sunset upon ■ it, it was a picture that a Turner would have lingered over and have loved to paint, Tower rose upon tower, buttress upon buttress, wing succeeding wing, while on the right the quiet old river stole away onwards on its stately journey to the sea. Broad walks, incomparable lawns, and rare statues graced the garden, bub it was the dignity of the building, and the marvellous setting, the river, the woodlands, and the general air of dignified peace that appealed to me more than anything else. For upwards of half an hour I stood on the bridge looking at it, little dreaming how intimately I was to be associated with it in years to come. Then remounting my bicyclo I continued my journey, passed out through the north gate, and in less than half an hour was well on my way to the Minster town. "It was. late in the afternoon when Reggie f Sandridge alighted from the train at the little wayside "station most ; convenient for Weldersham. He was recognised by the ' stationmaster as he surrendered his ticket at the gate. The latter touched his hat respectfully. " Begging your pardon, but I hope all's going; well with the horse, sir?" he said. • We're on him, almost to a man, in the .neighbourhood." * "I am sure he'll do his best for you," said .* Reggie. "By the way, have you heard how : my uncle is?" . ■ " Very weak indeed, I'm afraid, sir," the stationmaster replied. "We heard this . morning that his condition was as bad as . bad could be.'

Reggie passed out to the carriage that was awaiting him in the station yard and took his place in it-. He had known the coachman and carriage groom all his life, consequently he looked upon them in the light of old friends.

From the station to the castle was a distance of something like three miles, yet every inch of it was fraught with memories for Reggie. He could recall at one point the battle he had had with a pony who had obstinately refused to jump a ditch, and had ended the combat by pitching him head foremost into it. Further on he remembered his meeting* with the gipsy, who had crossed his hand with silver and prophesied for him a life of unexampled prosperity —which he had taken in these days to mean the acquirement of a certain brindle bulldog, upon which his affections had been set throughout, his holidays. The whole neighbourhood was filled with associations for him, and as he recognised each familiar landmark lie experienced a little twinge of conscience, as he reflected that in the last few years lie Lad never given it a visit. '' I am not sure, after all," he said to himself, "that a country life is not better than a town one. What duffers we fellows aio to live as we do. Turning night into —week ill, week out, and never thinking of the reckoning that will have to be paid some day." Then, thinking of the old man who was;so ill, and whom.he had hastened down to see, he added, "I suppose I. might have done something to have made him care for me a little more. And yet we've not been bad friends after all. Though he pretends not to, I fancy the old boy likes me after all."

At last he entered the park, drove for upwards, of two miles through what I have already'declared to be one of the noblest landscapes in the world, crossed the bridge which 1 have also described, and then by a wonderful sweep approached the great front door .of the castle. As he did so the clock in the stable turret struck six., He descended from 'the carriage and entered the wonderful old hall, decorated with the armour of his ancestors, and the, scene of many an historic pageant, as its history so quaintly sets forth.

"How is my uncle, Somes?" lie inquired of the ancient butler, who had been five-and-thirty years in his uncle's service. "I am glad to be able to say that he has rallied a little, Mr. Reginald." the old man replied. "When Miss Dorothy sent off the telegram to you he was very queer indeed. The-doctor has just gone, and is coming again at ten."

"And where is Mrs. Muddison?" _ "In ifc blue drawing-room, sir. Will you be so good as to follow me?" Reggie accompanied the man to the room in question. As lie entered two ladies rose to greet him. The elder was very sweet-looking, with grey hair, and possibly fifty years of age. Her companion, who was also her daughter, Dorothy, was a beautiful girl of twenty,' with a healthy, straightforward manner, and a predilection for speaking her mind that not unfrequently brought her to the verge of trouble. No one, however, could be angry with Dorothy for very long. Mrs. Maddison was a cousin of Lord Weldersham's. Her husband had once managed the noble earl's estates in a leisurely and gentlemanly way, and after his death she had accepted the other's offer, and bad taken up her abode at the castle with her infant daughter, an arrangement which suited both parties, as it provided Mrs. Maddison with a home for herself and child, and ' furnished her cousin with a hostess who could receive and entertain his lady guests when they visited the castle. " I am glad you have come," said the elder lady, as she shook hands with .: Reggie. "He has been asking for you." "1 hope it is nothing serious?" Reggie replied. .., ■ . ; ," I am afraid it is-'very serious, she- answered. "Doctor Brownlow ; did not. give us at all a good account of him this morn- - . . .■ -■ V. --v -

ing. This afternson, however, be seems to be better. If you will let me I will go up and tell him of your arrival." She left the ; room, and Dorothy and Reggie were alone together. " Pray, are you aware," said, the latter, - "that it is eight mouths since I last saw you?" " : . "It is your own fault for not coming down oftener," replied the young lady, candidly. "There was a .time when you seemed to think the shooting and hunting worth the train journey. You appear to have changed your mind of late." , They made a handsome couple as they stood together before the fireplace. Ho was & typical young Englishman, while she was as beautiful a girl as one would be likely to find in a long day s march. What was better, perhaps, she was honesty and sincerity itself, as courteous to her uncle's farm labourers as she would be to a prince of the blood thought no trouble too great for the sake of one she liked, and in consequence was adored by everyone, from the stem old earl himself down to the humblest ploughboy upon the estate. For Reggie, her cousin many times removed, she had always entertained a profound admiration since the days when as a small boy in an Eton jacket he had given her her first fishing lesson in the river below the castle wall. She had watched his career with the deepest interest, and it must be admitted, since a historian should be candid, with 110 small amount of disappointment. She had hoped that he would* have entered the army, as he had one time expressed a wish to do, but no had not done it. It was suggested that he should turn his attention to politics, for which his father had had considerable talent, but this also came to nothing. " People call me lazy," he had once remarked to a friend who had expostulated witH him, "because I don't go in for soldiering or pin my faith on something definite. It only shows how little they know of things. They don't realise how hard I have to work. Consider for a moment! In the summer there's the season, when I'm kept hard at it day after day, then there are receptions and dances to be attended every night, to say nothing of dinners, picture exhibitions, horse shows, polo, and the theatres. In the autumn and winter, without any rest, mark you, there is the shooting and the hunting and the fishing, all of which have to be crammed somehow into a few months. Supposing there weren't men like myself to do it, how would the country get along? What about your trainers, gamekeepers, farmers, horse-dealers, and hunt-servants? How would they live if it weren't for men who work hard like myself? Don't talk nonsense, dear boy, about my idleness." After that his friend gave him up as incorrigible. After a few minutes' absence Sirs. Maddison returned with the information that the old gentleman would be pleased to see his nephew if he would go up to liis room.

"You know the room, of course?" she said.

Reggie was only too well acquainted with it. On many occasions as a boy he had been summoned to it to be cross-ex-amined by his stern old uncle concerning some juvenile scrape, or to be tipped prior to his return to school. He accordingly ascended the massive flight of stairs and made his way towards a door at the further end of tho long gallery, to which they conducted him. On this door he tapped, whereupon it was opened to him by a nurse, who bowed and invited him to enter, It was a handsome room, and in many respects characteristic of the man who had occupied it for fully half a century. The furniture was massive and sombre, the pictures few but distinctly good, while from a window a view was to be obtained as fair as any to be discovered in all England.

Reggie crossed to the bed and greeted his aged relative. It did not need very much discernment to tell that the latter's race was well-nigh run. " I'm sorry to find you so poorly, sir," Reggie began. "I would have come down sooner, had I any idea of it." The old man pointed to a chair by the bedside.

"I thank you," he said, with all the politeness of the old school. Be so good as to sit down there. I want to talk to you." Reggie did as ho was ordered. " I sent for you in order that I might have a conversation with you while I have time to express myself as I should wish." " I hope "I shall always bo glad to hear what you have to say to me, sir," said Reggie, politely, not, however, without a little qualm as to what was coming.

" I shall be glad if you can tell me that later," said Lord Weldersham. "In the meantime permit me to state that certain information has readied my ears which has by no means pleased me." " I am sorry for that," said Reggie. " Would you mind telling me what tho information is?"

" While I regret it I have no objection to doing so," the other replied. "I am credibly informed that you have engaged yourself to marry a lady who has for some time been connected with the theatrical profession, and whose beauty I understand"—here the cynical old lips curled disdainfully—" is her most conspicuous dower. If this is a mere canard, pray forgive me!" s Before he replied Reggie looked out of the window. One of the under-keepers was crossing the bridge, carrying his little three-year-old son upon his shoulder. He remembered having had. many happy days rabbiting with that young keeper when the other was little more than a lad.

"In this particular instance," he said, "it would seem that rumour has only lied in the matter of the theatrical profession. - Mrs. Dartrell, who has consented to be my wife, has nothing to do with the stage."

'"I offer you my congratulations on that score at least, said the other. " While wo are upon the subject let us remark that her future promises to be a prosperous one. I am informed that you lost five thousand pounds in three nights at her house. Possibly she may help you to win it again— a most equitable arrangement. May I inquire what your debts amount to?"

Still Reggie's good humour was by 110 means rullied

"It seems scarcely fair to trouble you, sir, with such ail unimportant matter. They can be settled by-and-by.' " It is .more important than, you imagine," replied bis lordship. " I cannot suppose that von have forgotten your destiny as the eighth Karl of Weldersliam?" "You will do me the justice, I hope, to admit that you don't think I mean that!"

"That is beside the question," said his uncle. "What I want to understand is your position with regard to thisthis Mrs. Dart re 11. I will-not disguise the fact that it has caused me some little anxiety."

A little flush came into Reggie's face. He would have found some difficulty in explaining why. "I have asked Mrs. Dartre!! to many me,' he said simply, as if that were sufficient to explain everything. " And having done so, you mean to adhere to it?'

" One does not usually ask such questions without meaning it," his nephew- answered. " Forgive mo if I do not mince matters," said his lordship, with an impatient movement of his withered right hand on tlio coverlet. "We have as a rule been fairly particular in our alliances. In point of fact I cannot recall another instance like the present. You must forgive me if I say that it pains me to picture Mrs. Dartrell as the chatelaine of this house. Unfortunately, as you know, I am not in a position to prevent it. That is the curse of our system of entail - —heir you are, and heir you must remain."

"I am sorry the fact should cause you pain," said Reggie. " There is no way of withdrawing from tho position, i suppose?" "None whatever! You must surely see that, sir!"

A lengthy silence ensued, during which the face of the- old man seemed to grow every moment harder. On the second linger of his right hand he wore a curious ring which was fashioned into the shape of two serpents coding round each other. The eyes of the reptiles were composed of rubies, and is seemed tc Reggie that they were winking and blinking at him in malicious triumph. " It is very unfortunate that this should have happened just now," said his lordship at last. " I should have taken it as a favour to myself had you been ieither able to have broken off the alliance or to have postponed it until I was beyond hearing anything about it. I am given to understand that your position is homeless unless your horse wins tho

Derby. Should that not happen, what do you propose doing?" For the first time during the interview Reggie's mouth hardened. " I am afraid this must be an exceedingly unpleasant interview for both of us," he said. ''Do you think it worth while prolonging it?" "Probably not!" said his uncle. "If you are determined in your opposition I can scarcely hope to be successful in moving you. I might, however, mention the fact that Margetson will be here within the next hour, and that our discussion now will make some difference to what I shall have to say to him. You are of course aware that so far as the title, this estate, and the houses in London, Berham, and Fieldham are concerned, . you will succeed. My private fortune, however, is my own to leave. It amounts, I may tell you, to something like thirty thousand pounds a year. It would seem a pity to let such a sum pass one, don't you think so?" Reggie rose and walked to the window. The under-keeper and his child were disappearing into the wood on the other side of the park. When they vanished he turned once more and walked towards the bed. The old man's keen grey eyes were fixed upon him.

" I must ask you to believe, sir," said Reggie, " that it grieves me more than I can say to have to disagree with you, particularly at such a time and on such a subject. You must see for yourself, however, that I am not in a position to act otherwise than I am doing." " Your mind being made up, pray say no more about it," said the old man. " And now, if you will excuse me, I will ask you to leave me. You will stay the night, of course?"

"I should like to do so," said Reggie, and then left the room. "It seems to me lam in an unenviable sort of position," he said to himself as he descended the stairs. "If all his money is to go elsewhere, and the Knight should not win, I shall be done for, lock, stock, and barrel. Never mind, what's done is done, and if I am any judge of character he'll not relent, so it's no use crying over spilt milk." When he entered the drawing-room once more both ladies looked up at him nervously. They had an idea that there was trouble in the wind.

"Won't you come for a stroll, Dorothy?" he said, addressing the younger. "It's a beautiful evening, and the dressing-gong won't sound for another hour."

• She willingly complied, and together they passed out on to the terrace and sauntered slowly along it beside their old friend the river. The sun had dropped behind the woods, and the rooks were cawing drowsily in the elms preparatory to retiring for the night. After proceeding a short distance they halted and stood leaning on the balustrading, looking down at the water, in which the picture of the castle was reflected as clearly as if in a mirror. Dorothy knew that her companion was troubled about something, and she could hazard a very good guess as to what that something was. "As my uncle knows all about it I suppose you have also been told of my engagement to Mrs. Dartrell," said Reggie, after a few moments' pause. " You have not congratulated me!" The girl looked a little embarrassed. "I do not know Mrs. Dartrell," she faltered; " but of course I hope you will be very happy." Then she added, "I hope uncle was not very angry with you. I was afraid he would be."

"You ought to know him by this time. He was politeness itself. Nevertheless, if I persist in marrying Mrs. Dartrell his money is to go elsewhere. ' " Oh, Reggie, that is terrible," cried the girl. "I am so very, very sorry." "It's not a cheerful lookout, is it? But it can't be helped. It merely means that I shall bo an extremely poor peer instead of r. fairly rich one." He toko a cigarette from his case and lighted it. He was certainly a philosophical young man, and even the loss of an income of thirty thousand a year was not sufficient to upset his balance for long. He could not help wondering, however, what his fiancee would say when she heard the news. He looked at the girl beside him. Dorothy had always seemed to him more like a sister than a cousin. He had told her his secrets, teased her, romped with her, but he was not awaro then that ho had ever been in love with her. To-night, - however, as he stood beside her, things seemed different somehow. She was really a very pretty girl, and for some reason he found himself almost unconsciously contrasting her with Mrs. Dartrell, and if the truth must be told not altogether to the latter's advantage. One was essentially a woman of the world ; the other was a country maid, innocent of the petty chicaneries of the world, and looking upon life with calm and unsophisticated eyes. She laid her little hand upon his arm.

" Reggie," she said, " I am so sorry undo has done this. I wish I could help you." " I know you would if you could, Dot," ho answered, giving her the old familiar nickname, " but I fear it is impossible. I must pull it through somehow myself."

There was another short pause, and then she continued timidly— "You won't be angry with me, Reggie, will you, if I say something? It is about something I overheard at the Queckett's garden party. It was not meant to reach my ears. Young Gsorge Queckett, you remember him, I think, was talking to a gentleman from Londoi, a Mr. Vandeleur." " And what, had the gentleman from London to say about mi?" "He said that you had lost all your money, and that if Knight of Malta does not win the Derby you will be ruined." She stopped here and looked anxiously at him.

" I am afraid he was not very far from the truth," Reggie replied. " I've been an awful ass, Dot, and I suppose, like every other ass, I must pay the penalty of my folly. But who's this?"

A cariage was approaching them from the direction of the south lodge. When it reached the bridge they were able to see that it contained an elderly gentleman with a cleanshaven rosy face and snow-white hair. " It's Mr. Margetson," said Dorothy. " I know that uncle sent for him."

The old solicitor alighted from the carriage and lifted his hat to the young lady ho saw beforo him.

" How do you do, Miss Dorothy?" he said, " but there, I needn't ask, your face is my answer, and a very good answer too. Good, afternoon, Mr. Reginald, I trust his lordship is no worse?"

" On the contrary, they seem to think lie is a little better," Reggie replied. " I saw him half an hour ago." . They strolled along the terrace in the direction of the house, and presently the lawyer was summoned to the sick man's chamber. In something less than half an hour he returned with a grave face. " Might I have a few words with you, Mr. Reginald?" ha asked. " Why not? Let us come into the billiardroom. We shall not bo disturbed there."

"The billiard-room, by all means," said the other, and followed his companion to the room in question. " I understand that you are aware of the reason of my presence hero this afternoon?" ho began when they had cTosed tho door.

" My undo informed mo that he had sent for you," Reggie replied, " and though he did not say so in many words I gathered that it was with tho intention of altering his will." '

The lawyer nodded gravely. " That was certainly the reason," ho answered. " And I might add that, under certain contingencies, the alteration is not in your favour." " Are you at liberty to go into details?" " Perfectly! I understand that you contemplate marriage with a lady named Dartrell 7"

" That is so !" said Reggie. "Go on!" " I have not, of course, the pleasure of the lady's acquaintance, but it would appear that for some reason, what I cannot say, the union is not, forgive my plain speaking, altogether agreeable to your uncle.'"

"So he led me to believe," said Reggie brusquely. "He gave me to understand that I must choose between the lady in question and his private wealth. Is that so?" "I regret very much having to announce to you the fact that it is," said the lawyer. "I"have been instructed to draw the will in such a way that, should you wed the lady in question, the money shall pass in certain proportions to your cousin Richard, to Mrs. Maddison and her daughter; and to certain specified charities. I cannot tell you how much I regret this. lam sure you will believe me when I say that I did my utmost to dissuade him from such a step."

" It was kind of you, but I am afraid after all these years you have not properly ganged the character of 'Cast Iron Weldersham.' " " I am aware that his. lordship is the possessor of a . singularly strong personality,"

said Margetson. " When his mind is made up it is difficult to shake it." " Well, as the matter is now definitely settled, it is no use, I suppose, for'me to worry myself further about it?" " But, my dear Mr. Reginald, have you reflected what this may mean to you? As the heir to the Earldom of Weldersham, it will be necessary for you to keep up Weldersham Castle. But has it struck you that it is an expensive place to maintain, and that the rent roll, so far as the farms that would pass to you are concerned, would be barely sufficient to meet half the expenses It would be impossible for you to live here and to keep up the town house, to say nothing of the other properties connected with the title, unless you had an income of at least twenty thousand a year. I presume you have thought of that?" " On the contrary, I have never thought about it at all; and it would not appear to be much use my doing so now. By the way, Margetson, I presume you have heard the rumours which are afloat concerning my financial position?" The lawyer coughed apologetically. "I am prepared to admit that I have heard certain rumours," he said. "In point of fact they added to the sorrow I have felt in being summoned here to-day. I and mine have served your family for generations, and it goes without saying that I should wish to serve you. What, however, can I do? If only you would permit me to ask you one straightforward question, without being offended at my presumption, it would ease my mind a great deal." " Ask whatever question , you like, my dear Margetson," said Reggie. "We are old enough friends to enable me to feel sure that you mean well by me." "I. am glad you look upon it in thai light," said the old man. "I do mean well by you, and I am more than anxious to prove it." He paused for a moment as if in hesitation. "Mr. iieginald," he continued, "I . have not the pleasure of Mrs. Dartrell's acquaintance, but though I am only a country solicitor I have heard rumours concerning her. I — " One moment, Margetson. Remember, the lady in question is about to become my wife." "In that case my lips are sealed. Dear, dear, how sadly the world runs." Reggie felt for the moment that it was scarcely a complimentary speech. He did not comment upon it, however. As he had just said, he knew that Margetson meant him well, while at the back of his own brain there was an uneasy feeling that too other was not altogether in the wrong. Somehow in London, and on the river, Stella had seemed to fit into the picture ; here, however, in the old house, where all was so suggestive of the stately past, the remembrance of whispered ■■ on mots, often more daring than discreet, of the beautiful bare arms, the scent of innumerable cigarettes was almost distasteful to him.

Margetson rose from his chair. " I must be going," he said. "Will you not stay to dinner?" Reggie inquired, more for the sake of saying something than any desire he entertained for the old lawyer's company. " I thank you, no," the other replied. "I have important business which must be attended to to-night before 1 sleep." Reggie smiled. He thought he could guess w.ia-t that business was. Accordingly he accompanied him to the front door, where Ins carriage was awaiting him. After they had shaken hands upon the steps the old gentleman entered the vehicle. When he had seen it roll away down i-o drive Reggie went up to dress for dinner. As may -be supposed he was in by no means good spirits. His championship of Mrs. Dartrell had so far done him more harm than good. Dinner that evening was a very quiet meal. Reggie endeavoured to make himself amusing, but the attempt was a dire failure. Mrs. Maddison was naturally of a quiet disposition, while even Dorothy, generally so talkative, was for some reason or another more silent than usual. After dinner they adjourned to the drawingroom, where Reggie and the elder lady played a game of bezique together, . while Dorothy at the piano wandered from Chopin to Mozart, and from Beethoven to Paderewski.

At ten o'clock the doctor arrived, and after a careful examination of his illustrious patient was able to announce that an improvement had commenced. "It looks as if disinheriting me," said Reggie to himself, as he heard the news, "has done him good. For all we know to the contrary it may set him on his feet again." Next morning the improvement was still maintained, and there was no longer any reason for Reggie's presence at the castle. Before leaving, however, he inquired whether it would be possible for him to have another inter-view with his uncle, and upon being informed that it was he went upstairs to the old man's room.

" Good morning, sir," ho said, on entering the apartment. "I am glad indeed to hear that you are better." "I thank you," said the invalid. "I understand that you are about to leave for town?" , f , "I am going up by the mid-day train," Reggie replied. "If I can be of any service to you, however, I will remain." " You are very good. I will not detain you, however. You have doubtless many social duties to which it is necessary that you should give your attention. Forgive my broaching a painful subject once more, but may I ask when your marriage is to take place?" "Nothing lias been settled on that point yet," the other replied. "I presume it will in a large measure depend upon the success your horse achieves next week?" "In a very large measure I fancy it will," said the young man. _ _ * "You saw Margetson last night?" "I did!" V "And he reassured you as to my determination?" » "He did!" "You are aware that I never change my mind?"

- "I am quite aware of it!" " Then let me wish you good-bye, I cannot express a hope that your horse may bo successful. . Under other circumstances no one would have hailed your victory with more delight than myself." " I can quite believe that, sir," Reggie answered. " And now let me bid you good-bye. I promised before I came up that I would not let you talk too much. in conclusion I can only say that, apart from the question of the money you at one time contemplated leaving me, I shall always feel grateful to you for the kindness you have shown towards me." For a moment the old man gazed at his nephew with what was almost an expression of affection upon his face. They shook hands in silence, however, and then Reggie crossed the room to the door. As he turned the handle he heard a heavy sigh come from the bed. When he reached the hall once more he found the dogcart already at the door. He had made his farewell to Mrs. Maddison in the corridor outside his uncle's room. Dorothy, however, was waiting to say good-bye to him at the foot of the grand staircase. She made a pretty, womanly picture in her wlliito summer dress, against the background of old oak and armour. " Good-bye, Reggie," she said, holding out her hand to him. "If we don't see you again before the great race I will wish you good luck now." _ ' "Thank you. Dot," ho said. With your good wishes behind him the Knight should surely win." They walked together to the door, where he mounted to the box of the dogcart, and a few moments later was bowling down the drive. As he crossed the bridge he looked round to see the figure of the girl still standing at the door watching him. She waved her handkerchief and then disappeared. Why he should have done so 1 cannot say, but it is certain that as lie noticed it he followed his uncles example and heaved a heavy sighDuring the journey up to town he endeavoured to interest himself in his papers, but without success. The memory of a certain pretty face and a pair of honest blue eyes continually interposed themselves between him and the columns. Strange to say, that faco was not the face of Mrs. Dartrell. (To "be continued.)